Feels familiar. Guy gets playcalling abilities first and then the DC title afterwards. Isn't that the same path Patricia took?
2018 Patriots Coaching Carousel
- Thread starter moondog80
- Start date
Christopher Price at BSJ had a segment on Bielema in his column from the Combine today.
The article is for subscribers, but here's the snippet on Bielema. (Dopes, my apologies if this is too much to include from a pay-site).
According to multiple reports, former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema was in attendance in Indy with New England. It’s unclear if he has yet to sign on with the Patriots on some sort of capacity — he was let go by Arkansas in November — but it isn’t the first time Belichick has brought a former college coach into the fold. (Greg Schiano accompanied him to the combine in 2014 after he was fired by Tampa Bay.) Regardless of what you think of Bielema as a coach, it’s hard to deny the impact that some of his former players have had on the New England defense lately. Trey Flowers (who Bielema was really high on coming out of college) and Deatrich Wise are two Razorbacks who have done well for the Patriots the last few seasons. In September, I asked former Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest why some of Bielema’s guys worked out with the Patriots.
“I think that in some cases, these are not guys who are necessarily four- or five-star recruits. They are prospects who come out of high school as good players, but want to really prove themselves on the next level,” Segrest said. “They have the work ethic and attitude and determination, all things that you look for what you’re recruiting. But these guys also have the raw talent needed to succeed. Sure, a lot of guys talk about succeeding at the next level, but those guys who really want to work toward it, guys like Trey and Deatrich, those guys are special. They have a special mentality. They want to be successful, and they make the most of their opportunities.”
In addition, former Arizona State coach Todd Graham was spotted with the Patriots staff in Indy. Belichick has always been a supporter of the recently-fired Graham — he welcomed him to practice in the days before Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona, and added that he would take trips to Tempe during the pre-draft process to connect with Graham.
“I love Coach Graham,” Belichick said. “Coach Graham does a great job. He’s a good friend of mine. I really respect the job he’s done with this program.
“(He) probably doesn’t get enough credit for the job that he’s done at Arizona State since he’s been there,” Belichick added. “He’s one of the best coaches in college football.”
